Monday, May 16, 2005

A Kickass Auction to Kick Type 1 Diabetes in the Ass

Romance author Brenda Novak rocks my world. Brenda has a son with Type 1 Diabetes and ALL BY HERSELF, she has organized an online silent auction to benefit the JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation).

Type 1 Diabetes is a devastating, incurable disease which affects millions of children and adults. It is the leading cause of nontraumatic amputations and a major cause of kidney failure, heart disease, stroke, blindness, and other complications.

As many of you know, my 8-year-old son has had this disease since last summer. Brenda's young son also has this disease.

The JDRF is working so hard to find a cure.

Brenda is so dedicated and amazing with all that she has rounded up for bids. It really just about makes me cry to see all the items she has procured for auction. There must be hundreds. There are all kinds of spectacular items at Brenda's site, from helicopter rides to diamonds to sports memorabilia. Where does Brenda find the energy? I don't know, I truly don't. She is my hero though.

I helped Brenda a little with this by stalking famous authors and getting them to donate some books. So, Brenda's also got SIGNED FIRST EDITIONS of some very in-demand books including SUMMERLAND by Michael Chabon, DAUGHTER'S KEEPER by Ayelet Waldman, SKINNED ALIVE by Edmund White (very rare and currently fetching top dollar at places like AbeBooks), ONE SHOT by Lee Child (UK AND! American editions), HAPPY BABY by Stephen Elliott, CORALINE by Neil Gaiman, THE DOGS OF BABEL by Carolyn Parkhurst, THE KITE-RUNNER by Khaled Hosseini, THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME by Mark Haddon (UK edition, hardback as well) and so many more (I'm sure I'm missing some! Cos everyone's been so great). And, everyone at the JDRF truly appreciates the generosity of EVERYONE who's donated.

Check it out! Bid high and bid often! And, if you write a books blog (or really any type of blog), PLEASE spread the word. It's all for a really good cause and your readers, especially if they are book collectors, will appreciate it. Thanks and many hugs to everyone who passes it on.